BSF Attacks The Character Of Soldier Who Highlighted Poor Treatment, Instead Of Giving Answers

In the past few days, in a series of videos that went viral, BSF (29th battalion Seema Suraksha Bal) Tej Bahadur Yadav exposed the conditions our soldiers have to deal with every day due to the apathy of authorities higher up the chain of command. Underfed and ill-treated, Tej Bahadur revealed the unfair treatment meted out to them by their seniors.

Tej Bahadur is currently deployed along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir.

In response to the videos, the Border Security Force (BSF) said that Tej Bahadur’s claims couldn’t be taken seriously as he has had a “difficult past” and that he needed regular counselling.

“Different correction mechanics have been applied as he was a habitual offender of absenteeism without permission, chronic alcoholism, misbehaving and using force with superior officers and certain other acts against good order and discipline,” the BSF said in a statement. The BSF also ordered a “fair and transparent” probe.

BSF’s Twitter handle @BSF_India stated that “BSF is highly sensitive to the welfare of tps. Individual aberrations, if any, are enquired into. A senior officer has already rchd the location”.

Meanwhile, Tej Bahadur told India Today that his duty had been changed and that he was being pressured by his commander to take down the videos. He said, “I am not afraid of losing my job … I have shown what the reality is at the post … If soldiers [are] benefited because of me, then I am ready to fight.”

The Logical Indian’s take:

“Ad hominem” is a widely practised logical fallacy. It involves cases where a person attacks another person’s character or personality rather than attack their argument. We see it happening every day, everywhere – especially on social media. It involves cases where a post or argument is rebuked not by logic or a counter-argument, but by attacking the person itself, or their family, their physical features, or some other attribute of the individual.

The BSF’s reply is ad hominem.

They neither addressed the issues raised by Tej Bahadur nor attempted to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Instead, they questioned his motives and character. They claimed that he was full of vices, accused him of indiscipline, and alleged claims that point to mental instability.

Did the BSF treat Tej Bahadur with the respect a soldier deserves? No.

There have been instances where our Forces were found under-equipped. Less than six months ago, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India criticised the Army management for not providing enough fruits and vegetables for our soldiers. The report by the CAG also pointed to the very low level of troop satisfaction regarding the quantity, quality and the taste of ration, including low quality of meat and fresh vegetables.

Accepting that there is a problem is the first step to solving a problem. If the BSF resorts to attacking the character of a soldier instead of addressing the issues they raised, it sets a trollish precedent for their peers. Eventually, it will be counter-productive for all our troops.

The Logical Indian community requests the BSF management not to resort to troll behaviour. If Tej Bahadur’s claims are baseless or untrue or an individual occurrence, the BSF can simply counter his claims by presenting the public with statistics regarding the supply and distribution of food in the Force. That is a constructive way of dealing with criticism; questioning the person’s character or motive or mental health is immature and demotivating.

The authorities should address the issues raised instead of attacking the character of Tej Bahadur Yadav.

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Partner Story

This Mother’s Day, Let Us Make A Real Difference In Our Mother’s Life

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – Abraham Lincoln

Mothers play a crucial role in our lives. Since we were little, they held our hands, acting as our guide into the world. They took care of all our needs – from teaching us how to hold a spoon, cooking delicious meals for us, dropping us to school and sitting with us while we struggled with our math homework – mothers have been there through thick and thin.

On the special occasion of Mother’s Day, Friends Adult Diapers has a beautiful message for each of us – treat your mother the way she has treated you all her life.

It was our mothers who stayed up all night taking care of us when we fell sick; it was her who help us with our homework. This Mother’s Day, remember to take care and support your mother the way she took care of you all these years.

The minds and bodies of our ageing parents dwindle as they grow even older, and somewhere in the incoherence of understanding their thoughts, children lose patience. They spend less and less time with their parents and hire others to look after them. A study by HelpAge India gives accounts of the elderly, most of whom testify to verbal abuse, neglect and disrespect by their children. Old people rely on their children for both emotional and financial support but, often times are not given the needed care.

There is little difference in how we were as toddlers and how parents are as senior citizens. They couldn’t understand the gibber we uttered then, yet taught us different languages. We were financially dependent on them till at least 18 years of age yet, they never said no to giving us pocket money. Why cannot we echo the same patience our parents showed for so many years?

Our parents have an unconditional love for us. They made sure all our needs are cared for and we never feel alone. When we grow up and our parents enter old age, they require the same care and affection. They would be delighted if we spent time with them after classes or work, make tea or cook for them and also help them with household chores when they have too many things at hand.

It is our responsibility to stand with our parents when they are weak; it is our responsibility to cook for them when they are too tired, and it is our responsibility to take care of them when they fall sick.

Mother’s Day is a celebration in honour of motherhood, a tribute to maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. Let us make a real difference by showing how much we truly care for our mothers.

Friends Adult Diapers has taken a wonderful initiative in this regard. The most precious gift for a mother is her child. So why not take this as an opportunity to shower her with the same love? After all, she deserves it for being with you through every obstacle and every hardship that you faced.